Saturday, July 21, 2012

As I opened my Bible this morning, I had a question for God. Disappointed again, back in that place where I wonder about my path, my self, my future. Will it always be like this? Should I turn back? Turn away?

Instead, I turned to 1 Peter 5:7-14:

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

It is easy to think the world, and Satan, is out to get me when things do no go the way I want or expect. Nothing extraordinary, this is the normal expectation of the believer. The key to the scripture is the BUT GOD part that comes next:

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever.

God is in this thing. The Great I AM is with me. He has called me to follow Him and I know His voice and His desire for me. If I run to Him and submit myself to His care, casting all my cares on Him, He will care for me. Specifically, He will:

Perfect ~ He is working on me. His goal is not the thing I am doing or what I want. His goal is to make me perfect, complete, lacking nothing. Even the Kingdom expanding is secondary to the Kingdom in my heart. My heart always comes first. Healing my heart is of utmost importance to Him because only after that can I obey and serve Him well.

Establish ~ He desires to put me on the firm foundation of trusting in Christ alone, who is faithful, true, loves me and never changes.

Strengthen ~ In the power of Christ I can do all things. I can withstand all things. Even hurt, disillusionment and disappointment. Sometimes my dreams can be accomplished. Sometimes doors close. Either side of the door I am on, Christ is with me.

Settle ~ He will give me His joy and peace that is never about the stuff, always about His love and acceptance of me.

And to Him alone -- not to me or some leader, boss, pastor, family member or friend -- be the glory and dominion. He is in charge, no one else. And that is for ever. And ever.

If I remain in Christ, and not do my usual routine of mulling it over, licking my wounds, complaining to all my friends, plotting other plans, or worse yet, revenge -- then He will show Himself in my life. If I remain prayerful, if I continue to do what I know is right, trusting in Him alone, then He will be glorified. If I keep my eyes on Him, not on anyone else, He will give me peace.

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Praying that my stories will encourage you to take the next step in your faith journey, closer to my Beloved Jesus.

Leave me a comment or contact me: barbararuglio (at) yahoo.com

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